MADISON, Wis. (WRN) — Candidates for state Superintendent participate in a forum.
The event held virtually Wednesday evening featured incumbent Jill Underly and challenger Brittany Kinser – the only one-on-one matchup with the two.
Kinser, a Milwaukee education consultant, said Wisconsin’s education system is failing kids, citing racial gaps and lack of reading proficiency. Underly said that’s misleading and noted high graduation rates and Wisconsin schools’ high national ranking.
Kinser criticized the Department of Public Instruction, adding that she hopes to “restore the high standards” on student testing. Kinser and Republicans have criticized Underly and DPI for changing state educational assessment standards, claiming that misrepresents how students are doing.
Underly says the standards were adjusted after discussions with experts to best fit Wisconsin needs.
A bill reversing the changes is now before Governor Tony Evers.
Early in person voting in the race is already underway. It’s been overshadowed by the contest for a seat on the Wisconsin Supreme Court.
